Six hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties have been fined by state health officials for mistakes during surgery and other care that harmed patients - and in one case led to death.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported Thursday that the penalties came as part of a broad enforcement action by the California Department of Public Health.

The biggest fine of $200,000 was issued to Southwest Healthcare System after a female patient fell when nobody was watching. The woman, who was a patient at Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, died as a result of bleeding in the brain.

A patient at the same hospital had gauze left in him after receiving a pacemaker.